This story was originally published on Restaurant Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Restaurant Dive newsletter. Fat Brands’ creditors went on the offense earlier this month after finding out that the bankrupt company sold $3 million of Twin Hospitality stock to a shareholder. While the sale began prior to the chain’s bankruptcy filing, it went through Jan. 30 without court approval. This poses a problem for Fat Brands, as creditors called out CEO Andy Wiederhorn and sai ...

Core Insights - Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX) is recognized as one of the 13 Best NASDAQ Dividend Stocks to buy currently [1] - Citi analyst Jon Tower has lowered the price target for Starbucks from $94 to $92, maintaining a Neutral rating due to lingering uncertainties following the company's recent earnings report [2][8] Financial Performance - In fiscal Q1 2026, Starbucks reported a global revenue increase of 5% year-over-year, reaching $9.9 billion, with comparable store sales up by 4% [3] - Operating margin was recorded at 10.1%, and earnings per share (EPS) reached $0.56 [4] - North America revenue grew by 3% to $7.3 billion, while international markets saw a 10% revenue increase to $2.1 billion, indicating varied growth across regions [4] Strategic Initiatives - The company is focused on stabilizing and growing revenue as part of its "Back to Starbucks" plan, with expectations for earnings improvement to follow [3] - Starbucks is investing in technology, appointing Anand Varadarajan as Chief Technology Officer to enhance its technology platforms and operational efficiency [5] - The company is reviewing its menu and operations to ensure product availability while minimizing waste, as part of a broader efficiency improvement effort [4]

Domino’s Pizza, Inc. (NASDAQ:DPZ) is included among the 14 Best Warren Buffett Dividend Stocks to Buy. BTIG Trims Domino’s (DPZ) Price Target, Cites Same-Store Sales Growth Concerns On February 19, BTIG lowered its price recommendation on Domino’s Pizza, Inc. (NASDAQ:DPZ) to $500 from $530. It reiterated a Buy rating on the stock. The firm pointed to concerns about the company’s ability to consistently achieve its stated goal of 3% annual same-store sales growth. Despite those concerns, management conti ...

Core Insights - Irenic Capital Management LP has significantly reduced its stake in Papa John's International, selling 748,592 shares and retaining 325,108 shares valued at $12.51 million, which now represents only 0.8% of its total assets under management [1][5][6] Company Overview - Papa John's International operates a global pizza network with over 5,600 restaurants across 50 countries, generating revenue from company-owned restaurants, franchise royalties, and commissary sales [4][7] - The company reported a total revenue of $2.1 billion and a net income of $37.7 million for the trailing twelve months (TTM), with a dividend yield of 5.8% [3] Recent Performance - Irenic Capital Management's reduction of its holdings by approximately 70% indicates a lack of confidence in the stock, which has underperformed the market, losing 30.7% over the past year compared to a 16.4% return for the S&P 500 [5][6] - The company's North American same-store sales have faced challenges, including a decline of 2.7% in the third quarter [8]

Core Insights - The closure of local coffee shops like Compass Coffee significantly impacts community dynamics, as these establishments serve as important social gathering spaces [1] Group 1: Bankruptcy and Auction Process - Compass Coffee filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, leading to the termination of 10 leases and the closure of 10 locations, with 17 still operational [2] - London-based coffee chain Caffè Nero submitted a "stalking horse" bid of $2.9 million for Compass Coffee's assets during the bankruptcy auction [3] - Caffè Nero ultimately won the auction with a bid of $4.75 million after 24 rounds of bidding among five groups [4][5] Group 2: Future Operations - If the sale is approved, Caffè Nero plans to continue operating the remaining 17 Compass locations under the existing brand name, although rebranding is still uncertain [6] - A hearing to approve the sale is scheduled for February 26 in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Columbia [7]

Core Insights - McDonald's Corporation is leveraging its CosMc's spinoff as a testing ground to innovate its beverage strategy and enhance the McCafé brand as a key driver for future beverage growth [2] Company Strategy - The initiative marks McDonald's first investment in a new restaurant concept, indicating a strategic shift towards modernizing its beverage offerings [2]

Jack in the Box meal with branded bag, burger, curly fries, and drink on wooden table. Key Points Jack in the Box is working through execution and balance-sheet challenges, while McDonald’s highlights what strong operational discipline can deliver. Despite weak first-quarter results, analyst targets and ratings suggest continued confidence in a recovery over time. Technical support, heavy institutional ownership, and elevated short interest could amplify any upside catalyst. Interested in Jack In The ...

Dutch Bros Inc. (NYSE:BROS) is among the Most Volatile Stocks. On February 13, 2026, Morgan Stanley lifted its price objective for Dutch Bros Inc. (NYSE:BROS)’s to $85 from $82 while retaining an Overweight rating. The firm noted a solid year-end performance as support for the stock, despite the ongoing dispute. RBC Capital also cut Dutch Bros Inc. (NYSE:BROS)’s price target to $75 from $80 while maintaining an Outperform rating, noting Q4 results and FY26 forecasts that exceeded consensus and reduced b ...

Group 1 - Billionaire Stanley Druckenmiller is increasing his investments in Alphabet (GOOGL) by 277% to 385,000 shares and Amazon (AMZN) by 69% to 737,940 shares [1] - Druckenmiller has completely exited positions in Citigroup (C), Bank of America (BAC), and Capital One (COF), selling 989,250 shares of BAC, 514,850 shares of C, and 43,920 shares of COF [2] - Other notable stocks sold by Druckenmiller include Meta Platforms (META), Dick's Sporting Goods (DKS), and Texas Roadhouse (TXRH) [2] Group 2 - New acquisitions by Druckenmiller include Delta Air Lines (DAL), Goldman Sachs (GS), and Zillow (Z) [3] - The Duquesne Family Office's total worth is just under $4.5 billion, an increase of nearly $500 million from the previous quarter [3]

Core Viewpoint - McDonald's business model, characterized by significant real estate ownership and a rent-heavy franchise structure, provides a reliable source of income and asset value that distinguishes it from competitors [1][2][3]. Group 1: Business Model and Revenue Generation - McDonald's operates a franchise model where independent operators run 95% of its 45,000 stores, while the company owns 80% of the buildings and 56% of the land [1]. - The company generates approximately $10 billion in annual revenue, leading to around $7.5 billion in net rental income, primarily through triple net leases that transfer costs to franchisees [5]. - The combination of prime real estate, predictable rent collection, and high-margin royalties has established McDonald's as a reliable long-term investment [3]. Group 2: Real Estate Value - McDonald's real estate portfolio is estimated to be worth around $120 billion, significantly higher than the net asset value of $27.5 billion recorded on its balance sheet [7]. - The properties are recorded at historical cost and depreciated over time, which underrepresents their current market value [7]. Group 3: Financial Performance - The company reported a 5.7% year-over-year growth in global same-store sales, with a notable 6.8% increase in the U.S. market, marking the fastest growth in over two years [8]. - McDonald's generated $7.2 billion in free cash flow in 2025, allowing for routine share buybacks and maintaining a strong dividend history with 49 consecutive years of increases [10]. - The stock trades at 24 times forward earnings, comparable to Yum! Brands, but is supported by a substantial property portfolio worth over half its market cap [10]. Group 4: Strategic Initiatives - The company has implemented value-oriented strategies, such as the relaunch of Extra Value Meals, to attract lower-income households and successfully increased guest counts and average spending per visit [9].